Newcastle area roads for dull people (5)
I believe the answer is:
nerds
'dull people' is the definition.
'newcastle area roads' is the wordplay.
'newcastle area' becomes 'NE' (abbreviation for North East).
'roads' becomes 'rds' (abbreviation).
'ne'+'rds'='NERDS'
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for nerds that I've seen before include "Boringly studious people" , "They can be boringly studious, perhaps lacking social skills" , "Boringly studious types" , "Geeks" , "People considered boring because of obsessive hobbies or narrow solitary interests" .)